Wave goodbye to 2013 and say hello to 2014

So the year 2013 has come and gone and so here starts a new year with new challenges. A quick recap of 2013 found me running the MK Marathon but failing to achieve my sub 4 hour target. On a plus side I managed to complete 50 Park Runs and now of the pleasure of owning a 50 run shirt. Three half marathons under my belt, the first being the Colworth half, part of the Colworth series and boy was it easier just tackling the one race. The second being the Up Tow Down Flow, Marlow to Windsor half which although not achieving a new PB was definitely an attractive route along the tow path of the Thames. My final half marathon to end the year being the Bedford half which although again not achieving a new PB did see me run a pleasing 1hr 49 minutes.

I've started the new year a little heavier and a little rounder in shape thanks to the Christmas and New Year festivities. My target is yet again the Milton Keynes Marathon to achieve that sub 4 hour race time. My focus will purely be on achieving this goal and as part of the build up losing those unwanted pounds and turning the round figure of a man into a lean running machine. I'm already in a good position having kept up the running so have a head start on putting in the base miles so it's all about pace and strength.

I will focus on producing a training plan referencing my new found knowledge having treated myself to the book "The Art of Running Faster" by Julian Goater and Don Melvin. Motivation has been lacking of recent so I have registered with Jantastic 2014 http://www.jantastic.me/ to give me some inspiration over the next three months. I have registered a team; Gordon's Gophers so feel free to join me.

Hello 2014, let's see what the year brings!